Method of wet cleaning of material fibers from impurities and wood sweat

ABSTRACT

In the method a mixture of the fibres to be cleaned with a liquid is positioned between a pair of electrodes connected to a source of voltage, whereby there is produced a pulse electric discharge resulting in the creation of a shock hydraulic wave acting upon the fibres to be cleaned. In the apparatus for performing this method there is provided a chamber with a passage having expanded portions at the opposite sides thereof.

tates te Brodov et a1.

[76] Inventors: Valery Fedorovich Brodov, ulitsa Mashi Poryvaevoi, 6, kv. 5; Vyacheslav Stepanovich Osipov, ulitsa B. Filevskaya, 23, korpus 3, kv. 18; Mikhail Dmitrievich Zhdanov, Zhigulevskaya ulitsa, 19, korpus l, kv. 69; Anatoly Anatolievich Bur-0v, ulitsa Tsiolkovskogo, 6, kv. 11; Fedor Lukich Kovalev, ulitsa Alabyana, 10, korpus 6, kv. 159; Anatoly llllarionovich But, B. Akademicheskaya ulitsa, 75, korpus 2, kv. 24; Vadim Georgievich lvanov, Erevanskaya ulitsa, l7, korpus 1, kv. 39; Nikolai Nikolaevich Belyaev, 3 Pryadilnaya ulitsa, 2, korpus 4, kv. 31, all of Moscow; Lev Alexandrovich Bashev, ulitsa Tereshkovoi, 2, kv. 51, Mytischi Moskovskoi oblasti, all of U.S.S.R.

[22] Filed: Apr. 6, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 348,628

[52] US. Cl 8/139, 8/137, 8/138, 134/l,204/l31 [51] Int. Cl. DOlc 1/00 [58] Field of Search 8/139, 137, 138; 134/1; 204/131 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,695,825 10/1972 Greguss et al. 8/137 Primary ExaminerMayer Weinblatt Attorney, Agent, or Firml-lolman & Stern 5 7] ABSTRACT In the method a mixture of the fibres to be cleaned with a liquid is positioned between a pair of electrodes connected to a source of voltage, whereby there is produced a pulse electric discharge resulting in the creation of a shock hydraulic wave acting upon the fibres to be cleaned.

In the apparatus for performing this method there is provided a chamber-with a passage having expanded portions at the opposite sides thereof.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEL BEE 31974 sum 3 or 4 METHOD OF WET CLEANING F MATERIAL FIBERS FROM IMPURITTES AND WOOD SWEAT The present invention relates to-cleaning of fibrous materials, and, more particularly, to methods of wet cleaning of natural fibres from impurities and wool sweat.

The present invention can be employed to the utmost advantage for cleaning of dirty wool including all kinds of impurities: mineral (dirt, sand, stone fragments, etc.), vegetable (burrs, straw, etc.) and wool sweat, as well as for cleaning of wool waste.

Various methods of wet cleaning of materials such as wool fibres, from impurities and foreign matter are known, these methods being based on the action of a shock hydraulic wave upon the fibres to be cleaned, the wave being created by a pulse electric discharge between a pair of electrodes connected to a source of voltage, the fibres being positioned outside the zone of the effective action of the shock wave. The known apparatuses for performing these methods comprise a chamber with apertures for'supplying liquid into the chamber and for the passage of a pair of lattice-belt conveyors supporting the fibres to be cleaned therebetween, as well as electrodes positioned outside the zone where the material to be cleaned is positioned, the electrodes being connected to a source of voltage for producing therebetween a pulse electric discharge resulting in the creation of a shock hydraulic wave passing through the perforations in the lattice belts and thus acting upon the fibres to be cleaned.

It is known that the zone of the action of a shock hydraulic wave has a shape which is close to spherical, the centre of the sphere being the centre of the discharge gap, the energy of the wave propagating uniformly in all directions from the centre. Therefore, in the known apparatus, where the fibres treated are located outside the discharge gap, the greater part of the energy of the discharge is wasted.

Besides, when the supporting lattice belts are situated in the proximity of the centre of the discharge gap, the energy of the discharge, necessary for breaking up the vegetable impurities, is apt to break the lattice belts,

- too. Should the perforations in the lattice belts be relatively great, the hydrodynamic waves would propel fibres through the perforations into the impurity-laden water, and thus a great amount of the fibres would be wasted, too.

Furthermore, in the known apparatus it is possible to clean the fibres only from water-soluble impurities and readily separated foreign matter having a size smaller than that of the perforations in the lattice belts, because breaking up of foreign matter that is not readily separated and emulsification of fat is attainable only within the zone of the action of the shock wave having sufficiently great specific energy, whereas the shock wave is unable to pass through lattice belts with perforations that are sufficiently small to retain the fibres, and thus the greater part of the energy of the wave is spent on the destruction of the lattice belts themselves.

It is an object of the present invention to create a method of cleaning of fibres and an apparatus for performing this method, which should step up the effectiveness of such cleaning.

It is another object of the present invention to, provide a possibility of removing all kinds of impurities from the fibres. I

It is further object of the present invention to ensure maximal utilization of the energy of a shock hydraulic wave.

These and other objects are attained in a method of wet cleaning of natural fibres from foreign matter, impurities and wool sweat, based on the action of a shock hydraulic wave thereupon, the shock hydraulic wave being produced by a pulse electric discharge between a pair of electrodes connected to a source of voltage,

in which method, in accordance with the present invention, the mixture containing the fibres to be cleaned and a liquid is positioned in the space between said electrodes, directly in the zone of the effective action of the shock hydraulic wave.

An apparatus for performing this method, comprises a chamber having openings for charging and discharging the fibres to be cleaned and for supplying a liquid thereinto, and electrodes mounted within said chamber, said electrodes being connectable to a source of voltage for producing a pulse electric discharge therebetween, resulting in the creation of a hydraulic shock wave acting upon the fibres to be cleaned. ln accordance with the present invention said chamber includes a passage adapted to receive therein a mixture containing the fibres to be cleaned and the liquid, said passage having at the opposite sides thereof expansions displaced in the direction of the motion of said mixture containing the fibres to be cleaned and the liquid, some of said expansions having mounted therein pairs of electrodes so arranged longitudinally of said passage that each said pair of electrodes, mounted at either side of said passage, has positioned in opposition thereto at the opposite side of said passage the corresponding one of said expansions, where no said electrodes are mounted, whereby the shock wave created by a discharge not only performs cleaning of the fibres, but also assists in moving said mixture containing the fibres to be cleaned and the liquid in the form of a continuous directed stream.

Such method and apparatus for performing this method ensure highly effective cleaning of the fibres from impurities of all kinds, since the mixture of the fibres with the liquid is positioned directly in the zone of the effective action of the shock hydraulic wave having a shape that is close to spherical, the centre of the sphere being the centre of the discharge gap, and the energy of the wave being uniformly distributed over the surface of the sphere. The action of the energy of the shock wave upon the impurities brings about breaking up of solid impurities, emulsification of wool sweat and intensive removal of soluble impurities.

It is advisable that the voltage supplied to the electrodes should be set within a range from 20 to 70 kilovolts, the energy of the discharge being from 0.1 to 12 kilojoules, the actual values of these parameters being selected to correspond to the type of the fibres, as well as to the amount and composition of the impurities. To clean wool fibres, it is permissible to use a discharge having a great energy, from 1.5 to 12 kilojoules, the

etable impurities that are not readily separated, such as agrimony.

Vegetable natural fibres, such as flax, cotton and the like, which have an elasticity in a wet state that is lower than that of wool fibres and which do not include impurities that are not readily separated, can be cleaned with a discharge having an energy from 0.1 to 1.0 kilojoule, the voltage being from 20 to 30 kilovolts.

When the energy of a discharge is below 0.1 kilojoule and the voltage is below 20 kilovolts, the zone of the effective action of the shock wave is insufficient for practical employment of the wave for cleaning purposes, and the energy of the shock wave is insufficient for effective cleaning of the fibres. On the other hand, when the energy of a discharge is in excess of 12 kilojoules and the voltage is higher than 70 kilovolts, there takes place destruction of the fibres being cleaned, and the sturcture of the apparatus becomes considerably complicated.

It is advisable that the mixture of the fibres to be cleaned with the liquid be moved in the space between the electrodes in the form of a continuous, directed stream, which facilitates operating of the apparatus and increases its capacity.

In order to facilitate positioning of the electrodes in the moving stream of the mixture of the fibres with the liquid, the electrodes may be moved simultaneously with the stream.

It is advisable to use water for the said liquid, since creation of a shock wave in water as a result of an electric discharge between the electrodes is characterized by a high efficiency factor. Cleaning of fibres in accordance with the present invention involves neither chemicals nor detergents which means that the cost of such chemicals and detergents is saved, the treatment and clarification of the drainage water is facilitated, and, in case of wool cleaning, recovery of the wool fat from the drainage water becomes more complete.

To attain the greatest effectiveness of the action of the shock wave and to make it move the stream of the fibres to be cleaned, mixed with the liquid, in a desired direction, it is advisable to arrange the pairs of the electrodes longitudinally of said passage in a checkered order, i.e., alternately staggered at the opposite sides of the passage.

The cross-sectional size of the passage and the value of the displacement of the expansions should not be in excess of the size of the zone of the effective action of the hydraulic shock wave, which is necessary for all the fibres moving along the passage to be cleaned; otherwise, a part of the total amount of the fibres would find itself beyond the zone of the effective action and thus remain uncleaned.

When fibres including a great proportion of impurities are being cleaned, the liquid becomes rapidly laden with the impurities that have been already separated, and the effectiveness of further cleaning in this impurity-laden liquid is decreased; therefore, in order to step up the effectiveness of the cleaning, it is advisable in this case for the passage to include at least one portion having no expansions and having the walls thereof perforated, for withdrawing the impurity-laden liquid and supplying clean liquid through these perforations, i.e., to effect intermediate flushing of the fibres.

In cases of cleaning fibres displaying a high degree of adhesion to each other it is advisable, in order to perform the method in accordance with the present invention, to employ an apparatus wherein the chamber includes a passage for introducing therein the mixture of the fibres to be cleaned with the liquid, said passage being closed with a lid adapted to move therealong, the lid having mounted thereon a plurality of blades projecting into said passage and dividing said passage into a plurality of sections, said blades being adapted to move said mixture in a continuous stream, each said section having mounted thereinside one of the electrodes, said electrodes being also mounted on said lid for motion therewith simultaneously with the motion of said stream of said mixture, each said electrode having for the other electrode of the pair the bottom of said passage, the cleaning being performed in each one of said sections.

To ensure cleaning of the total amount of the fibres advancing through said passage and having varying degrees of impurities, it is advisable that in the apparatus the cross-sectional size of the passage and the spacing between the blades should not be in excess of the size of the zone of the effective action of the shock hydraulic wave, and that the passage itself should include at least one perforated portion for performance of intermediate flushing.

The present invention will be better understood from the following description of the embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partly broken away plan view of an apparatus for performing the method of cleaning wool fibres, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is the front view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 shows the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, additionally including an intermediate flushing portion;

FIG. 5 is the front view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4, having two, or more intermediate flushing portions;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

The essence of the method claimed is that the mixture of the fibres to be cleaned, e.g., of wool fibres with water, is positioned directly into the zone of the effective action of a hydraulic shock wave generated by an electric pulse discharge between the electrodes, when the latter are connected to the source of voltage.

Wool fibres are cleaned, as follows.

Wool fibres to be cleaned are mixed with water and are charged into a chamber 1 (FIG. 1) through a charging aperture 2, the mixture moving in a continuous stream along the passage 3 of the chamber 1.

The passage 3 has at the opposite sides thereof widened portions, or expansions 4 spaced in the direction of the progress of the mixture (the direction of this progress is symbolically indicated in the drawing, FIG. 1, by an arrow line A).

In some of the expansions 4 there are positioned pairs of electrodes 5 and 6 (as shown in FIG. 2) which are alternately staggered at the opposite sides of the passage. However, this arrangement of the electrodes may be modified, for instance, in the way shown in FIG. 3, the permanent necessary condition being in any case that each pair of the electrodes positioned at one side of the passage has directly opposite it an expansion of the passage,v..where no electrodes are positioned. Then the electrodes 5 and 6 are connected to the source of voltage. When each pair of the electrodes is supplied with voltage within a range from kilovolts to 70 kilovolts from a pulse current generator, there takes place in the gap between the electrodes an electric discharge lasting several microseconds, such a discharge releasing the greater portion of the energy that has been previously stored by the storage capacitor of the pulse current generator. The high density of the energy in the channel of the discharge results in a plasma channel being created in the surrounding water, the walls of this plasma channel expanding at an ultrasonic speed and thus generating a spherically shaped shock wave. The high pressure gradients at the front of the shock wave (the discharge energy being from 0.1 to 12.0 kilojoules) desintegrate solid foreign matter and emulsify fatty impurities, while the accompanying motion of the water intensifies carrying away of these disintegrated and emulsified impurities.

The motion of the water is directed under the influence of the energy of the discharge radially in respect of the channel of the discharge, the moving water being reflected by the wall of the expansion 4 situated opposite the respective pair of the electrodes 5 and 6, at the opposite side of the passage 3, the motion of the reflect'ed water being directed in correspondence with the desired direction of the stream of the fibres to be cleaned, mixed with water.

A portion of the water moves toward the wall situated adjacent to the respective pair of the electrodes 5 and 6, is reflected by this wall of the respective expansion 4 and, consequently, moves toward the expansion at the opposite side of the passage, thus producing an additional pulse of the motion of the stream.

When cleaning the fibres which possess a relatively high degree of impurity, it may be advisable to provide several intermediate fibre wash-up or flushing stages where the impurities separated from the fibres are removed and clean water is added. To arrange such stages, at least one portion of the passage 3, as is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, has no expansions 4, and the wall 7 of this portion of this passage is perforated. Clean water under pressure is supplied into the passage 3 through the perforated wall portions 7 thereof, in which way the fibres are flushed, while the water laden with impurities is withdrawn through the perforated bottom 8. The direction of the supply of the clean water is conventionally indicated in the appended drawings by the arrow line B, and the direction of the withdrawal of the water with impurities is indicated by the arrow line C.

Illustrated in FIG. 6 of the appended drawings is an embodiment of the disclosed apparatus having two intermediate flushing stages; the actual number of such flushing stages is selected to correspond to the degree of the impurity of the fibres to be cleaned.

Downstream from the intermediate flushing stages the process of cleaning of the fibres is repeated either with the same characteristics of the discharge, or else with these characteristics somewhat modified to ensure optimal conditions for separation of impurities of different kinds. The process of cleaning is ended by the mixture of the clean fibres with water leaving the apparatus through the delivery opening 9.

The lateral width of the passage 2 and the displacement of the expansions thereof from the central axis are not in excess of the size of the zone of the effective action of the hydraulic shock wave.

Illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the appended drawings is an embodiment of the herein disclosed apparatus. adapted for effective cleaning of fibres characterized by high degree of adhesion to one another.

In this embodiment the process of cleaning of the fibres is effected, as follows. The fibres to be cleaned are charged into the passage 10 through the charging opening 11, whereafter the fibres are engaged by the blades 12 which advance them along the passage 10.

The blades 12 are mounted on the lid 13 closing the passage 10, the lid being connected to a drive system. The blades 12 divide the passage 10 into a plurality of sections 14, each section having one of the electrodes 15 mounted on the respective portion of the lid 13 for travelling together with the lid, and, therefore for moving together with the mixture of the fibres to be cleaned with water.

Water is supplied into the passage 10 through an annular tube 16.

When the electrodes 15 are connected to the source of voltage, there takes place between each one of these electrodes and the bottom 17 of the passage 10, acting as the second electrode of the pair, an electric discharge creating within the mixture in the respective section a shock wave acting upon the fibres being cleaned; in other words, the cleaning operation is performed individually within each one of the sections 14.

When the fibres to be cleaned contain a relatively high amount of impurities, it may be found advisable to introduce intermediate fibre flushing stages. To achieve this, at least one portion of the passage 10 has the walls thereof perforated, the perforations being utilized for withdrawing impurity-laden water and for supplying clean water therethrough. Downstream from the flushing stage or stages the process of cleaning of the fibres is repeated either with the same characteristics of the electric discharge, or else with modified characteristics, to attain optimal cleaning of the fibres from different kinds of impurities.

After the cleaning process is over, the mixture of the clean fibres with water is discharged through the delivery opening 18.

The cross-sectional size of the passage and the spacing between the blades are not in excess of the zone of the effective action of the shock hydraulic wave.

Any suitable drive system can be employed for driving the lid 13, e.g., an electric motor associated with a reducing gear having a toothed wheel (not shown) mounted on the output shaft thereof and transmitting rotation to a gear 19 mounted on the shaft 20 nonrotatably supporting the lid 13 for rotation therewith.

electrodes within a range of from 20 to kilovolts,

and producing a pulse discharge with an energy of from 0.1 to 12 kilojoules between said electrodes, thereby generating a shock hydraulic wavewithin said mixture 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pair of electrodes is moved simultaneously with the stream of the mixture of fibres to be cleaned with said cleaning solution.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cleaning solution is water. 

1. A METHOD OF WET CLEANING NATURAL FIBERS FROM IMPURITIES AND WOOL SWEAT COMPRISING FORMING A MIXTURE OF SAID FIBERS WITH A WASHING SOLUTION, POSITIONING SAID MIXTURE BETWEEN ELECTRODES INSTALLED IN OPPOSITION TO EACH OTHER WITHIN A VESSEL, SUPPLYING VOLTAGE TO SAID ELECTRODES WITHIN A RANGE OF FROM 20 TO 70 KILOVOLTS, AND PRODUCING A PULSE DISCHARGE WITH AN ENERGY OF FROM 0.1 TO 12 KILOJOULES BETWEEN SAID ELECTRODES, THEREBY GENERATING A SHOCK HYDRAULIC WAVE WITHIN SAID MIXTURE FOR BREAKING UP THE IMPURITIES AND REMOVING THE SAME FROM SAID FIBRES AS WELL AS EMULSIFYING THE WOOL SWEAT AND REMOVING IT FROM SAID FIBRES.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mixture of said fibres to be cleaned with said washing solution is positioned in a space between a stationary pair of electrodes in the form of a continuous directed stream.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pair of electrodes is moved simultaneously with the stream of the mixture of fibres to be cleaned with said cleaning solution.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cleaning solution is water. 